Anastasia looked over the railing of one of her staircases, down at the party. It was already bustling with people, an array of costumes moving about the ballroom. Tables full of champagne, desserts, and food were set up along with a few card and poker tables. Ana's boot, which was part of her costume, thudded against the stone floor as she smiled. She hoped Kip enjoyed the party; she had put alot of effort into it. It was also a very exclusive party. Only Anastasia's inner circle was allowed to attend. Surely, gossip tonight would be tomorrow's headlines.

Just then, Elizabeth ran by Ana. She stopped briefly, putting a friendly arm around her lady's waist. "Are you coming, milady?" she asked with a bright smile. The party was also very informal, her servants dressing up and joining the party as well. Elizabeth's costume matched Joshua's, who waited impatiently beside her. Anastasia returned the smile. "In a minute," she said, putting her hand up. "I'm waiting for Kip." "Okay," Elizabeth said. She then headed down the steps with Joshua, the two holding hands. William and Haruko were not too far behind.

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Edward finished giving a few orders to the costumed servants before looking up at Ana. Sliding a crystal ball along his arm, he called out, "The guests should be arriving shortly..." He paused. "Did Kip choose that costume for you?"

Ana laughed mirthfully. She leaned her head on her hand as she looked down at Edward. "No," she began, "I picked it out for myself. He was just teasing." She smiled. "I'm surprised you didn't call him 'boy'. Anyway, Andrea still being avoidant with her costume?"

"Unfortunately so," Edward sighed. "She refuses to come out of the maids' chambers until the guests arrive. But I must tend to the musicians we hired, now. The pianist is quite lovely; the guests should enjoy it immensely. As for the other musicians... (LAWLZ just kidding)

Jaboc tugged on his robes uncomfortably. Lord Maiphe had convinced him to make his appearance as a creature from another planet. His sister had laughed herself to tears, and was informed that he was a human from Abydos. Whatever the hell that was. Although Lady Anastasia had extended the invatation to all servants who wished to come, participating at a ball was something he'd never done before.

He paused tentatively behind Edward. "Is this really okay?" He muttered, eyeing the joyful crowds around them with a anxious eye.

Amaya smoothed down her skirts, half nervous half expectant. Her gown swept the steps as she made her entrance, and made her way towards Ana. "Hey! How are you doing?" The fair haired woman asked, eyes sparkling. She stole an elegant wineglass from a nearby server and took a sip. "Nice vintange. Where's Kip? Oh! And how is your mother doing?" The smile widened. "I love babies! They're so adorable, though they have a wail like no other. Edward! It's great to see you again too! And Andrea, and everyone!"

Amaya's face threatened to crack, as her exuberant nature continued to widen her smile.

Ana laughed quietly. "I'm waiting for him to arrive," she said in response to Amaya's question about Kip. "And my mother is doing well. She and my father won't be able to attend for obvious reasons." Just then, the door opened, Kip stepping inside. "I'll see you around the ballroom," Anastasia said to Amaya. "I love your costume!"

Kip entered the ballroom, continually puffing on his cigarette. Noticing the amount of candles lit around the tables, he loosened the scarf of his costume. It was, however, a welcome change to the bitter cold outside the manor gates. Looking at the party's grandeur, he frowned in realization that it was all for him. "This is far too much, love..."

Kip's eyes widened in surprise, though only one was visible through his fake eyepatch. "No, no, it's lovely." He smirked. "And I'm sure that for you, it's a low-key affair." He squeezed her arm that held his. "I'm far more impressed by our mercenary duo costumes. Ironic, considering neither of us are on the battlefields."

Prince Theodore felt a little bit nervous being here. Well-- more than just a little bit nervous. His fingers shuffled with his clothing gently. The feeling of the fabric in his hands was the only comfort he had at the moment.

There was an odd sense of guilt that was washing up inside of the small boy. As much as someone his age could muster and deal with such a feeling, he started to chew his lip. He felt odd being at a party like this specially when his sister was so far away from home. Attending a party that was being hosted by the woman his sister claimed to hate so much made him feel guilty.

His mother always told him to be polite to women. So he couldn’t find the heart to just say no to the invitation. To decline a lady’s request was rude in his opinion.

“I promise to be good, Retta…” He mumbled under his breath.

He fiddled with his costume once more. After telling his hand maids what he was to attend they had started to flock around him squealing with glee. During that night he hadn’t understood what was so joyous about a simple costume party but after telling them what he wished to dress up as they had squealed even more. Puss in Boots. It was a story character he enjoyed. Why did that make the maids giggle so much when they placed the head piece on his head and the fuzzy tail around his waist?

Theodore took a shaky breath and walked into the chamber. At his side was one of the attendance that was always with him. Safety-- his mother would say. He asked his attendant to take him to a seat. Upon reaching it, he sat and listened very carefully to the music and shuffling bodies. Hopefully his older brother would show up shortly.

Amaya watched as Kip and Ana spoke quietly to eachother, and make her way elsewhere so as to give them some privacy. She could always find Kip later and wish him his many happy returns.

Searching for a friendly face, she was surprised to see a young boy in the room, and seemingly unattached to any of the other members of the party. "Hey kid," she said, by way of introduction. "Aren't you a little young to be around all this wine?"

Hearing a female voice near him, Theodore lifted his head slightly. The voice seemed strong and feminine, with a sort of confidence about it. The small boy smiled lightly at her comment and kept his blank gaze forward.

“The wine smells much too strong for me to have anyway. I’m here just to listen to the music.” He said gently, still smiling. “I hope I don’t look too out of place, milady.”

Camilla smiled gently as her blue eyes peered up at the manor behind her glasses. The windows were little signs of life in the forest that surrounded the manor and as one neared the giant edifice, the sounds of laughter and music only contributed to the warm feeling it gave off. "Do you have the gift, Charles?" Camilla asked. Her attendant nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty," he said, indicating to the wrapped box in his hand. "Good." She smiled and the attendant raised the ring that rested between the bronze lion's mouth, slamming it against the door.

It opened slowly, the butler immediately standing straight when he saw who it was. "Y-Your Majesty," he stuttered, bowing lowly. She chuckled, waving it off. "Good evening," she replied. The butler then stood and stepped aside. He banged the floor with his staff. "Madame La Reine!" he shouted. Immediately, the noise and music died down as Camilla stepped inside. The guests bowed in unison. She looked pretty stunning in her costume.

One man was quicker to rise than the rest of the party (Though Kip had been the last to bow, not knowing the queen had arrived until Ana had forced him into the formality), easily sweeping through the shadows towards the new arrival so that no one would notice his haste, or what would be considered impudent behavior of a servant. "My dear queen," Edward said once he had reached her side, bowing slightly again as he kissed the ring with the royal sigil upon it, though some of his lips rested upon her glove.

Though he and Camilla were no longer lovers, and he was happy with Andrea, it was always a pleasure to see the queen again, and also to engage in their suggestive and wry banter.

For her costume, she was going back to her root. Sorta. She wasn't exactly born in Chikyuu, but she certainly came from it.

She chose to be a traditional assassins of Chikyuu. The ones more often seen in Chikyuu-jin plays nowadays. Her hair was tied back into a low ponytail. Her black leather chest plate covered the upper part of her body and fingerless black gloves on her hand. Over her shoulders was a majestic dark cloak and at her hip was a not fake sword to complete her costume.

Rae stood in one of the dark corners of the room. She found gatherings like these boring. It was certainly not her thing. But it was Kip's birthday and he was her old friend and rival, so she sorta found it necessary to come. Besides, she needed to give Kip his birthday present after all.